title: Cystic optic glioma.
abstract: A pilocytic astrocytoma of the optic nerve, chiasm, hypothalamus, or third ventricle is a relatively common tumor of childhood. This case report illustrates such a tumor, originating from this location, which is unusual because of the association with two very large cystic extensions into the middle cranial fossa and into the third ventricle. The massive size and extent of this tumor and cysts was demonstrated on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, with gadolinium enhancement. This case illustrates a novel macroscopic appearance for a pilocytic glioma of the anterior third ventricle. The purpose of this report is to alert clinicians to the varied morphology this tumor may present as we apply increasingly our improved radiological, operative, and histopathological techniques.
authors.affiliation: Section on Neurological Surgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Gower
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pollay
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Shuman
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Brumback
mesh_terms: D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D002551:Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003390:Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D003560:Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009897:Optic Chiasm; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D011859:Radiography